Book Activities
Choose some of the below reading activities and apply these to the book that you are reading.
Imagine you are one of the characters in the story. Write a diary entry that reflects thoughts and feelings about an event in his/her life.

A diary extract written by a character
Write about what a character might be thinking or feeling at different stages of the story. You could write it in the first person, or in a speech bubble.


Think of 5 questions you would like to ask one of the characters.

Write about what a character might be thinking or feeling at different stages of the story. You could write it in the first person, or in a speech bubble.

What do other characters think or say about this character? Why do they feel this way?


Re-read a chapter – pick out 10 number of words that you feel are powerful words and that you could use in your own writing
How does the character change throughout the story? Explain and give support for your answers.

Make up three questions you would ask to check someone had read the book carefully
What kind of person is the main character?

How does your character treat other people in the book? Explain and give support for your answers.

Pick one word from your book and using a thesaurus make a thesaurus page for it

Find new vocabulary (words) that you do not really know the meaning of and write them up with the meaning in your book
Pick a descriptive word from the text, write it down and, using a thesaurus, write down five synonyms and antonyms for that word.

Make a list of questions you ask yourself as you read.

Story graphs which depict character or plot development

Predict what might happen when you are about halfway through a book

Portrait galleries of characters

Choose a key moment in the book and change the event. Re-write the following chapter…

Draw a picture of your favourite part of the book and write a sentence about what is happening. Say why you chose this bit.

Rewriting an extract from the point of view of a different character

Write a telephone conversation between you and a character from the book. (remember the conventions of speech)

Draw a poster advertising the book. Make sure you write on the poster why people should read it!

Draw and label a character or a setting from a description in the book.

Write a description of the main character: their looks, the way they dress, the way they talk and their personality.

How does the story hook you in at the beginning? Make a list of words and phrases that you feel are effective in making you want to read on.

Lists of words and phrases used to create atmosphere/ suspense, etc.

‘Between the lines’ – explore fictional events not directly reported in the text

Story graphs which depict character or plot development

A newspaper report linked to events

Recall main events within the story.